2018 Chevrolet Traverse Problems and Recalls (456 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse is Transmission / driveline (35% of 456 owner reports). There are 2 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Transmission / driveline — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 456 complaints · 2 recalls

What problems show up on the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse?

158 of 456 filings named Transmission / driveline (35% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Engine (47 reports).

There are 2 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Transmission / driveline and Airbags. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2017 has 356 reports on file; this year has 456. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 2 campaigns on file below.
Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
Electrical. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on.
Skim a few owner reports below for Transmission / driveline. Look for the same symptom repeating.
Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Transmission / driveline 158 complaints · 34.7% of the file

Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:

Crashes 9
Fires 2
Injuries 7
Deaths 0

All Chevrolet Traverse years →

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table

System / Component	Complaints	Share of Reports	Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)	158	34.7%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE)	47	10.3%	1 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)	38	8.3%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)	22	4.8%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)	20	4.4%	1 crashes · 0 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)	10	2.2%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)	9	2.0%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING)	8	1.8%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE)	7	1.5%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover	153	33.5%	3 crashes · 1 fires

NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

Campaign 20V668000 was reported 982 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
Campaign 21V246000 was reported 1,197 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.

View timeline records as a table

Date	Record type	Count	Record identifier
2017-Q4	Owner reports	2
2018-Q1	Owner reports	5
2018-Q2	Owner reports	8
2018-Q3	Owner reports	10
2018-Q4	Owner reports	8
2019-Q1	Owner reports	11
2019-Q2	Owner reports	12
2019-Q3	Owner reports	19
2019-Q4	Owner reports	16
2020-Q1	Owner reports	19
2020-Q2	Owner reports	12
2020-Q3	Owner reports	5
2020-Q4	Owner reports	12
2021-Q1	Owner reports	8
2021-Q2	Owner reports	5
2021-Q3	Owner reports	16
2021-Q4	Owner reports	8
2022-Q1	Owner reports	7
2022-Q2	Owner reports	9
2022-Q3	Owner reports	10
2022-Q4	Owner reports	6
2023-Q1	Owner reports	12
2023-Q2	Owner reports	10
2023-Q3	Owner reports	11
2023-Q4	Owner reports	17
2024-Q1	Owner reports	15
2024-Q2	Owner reports	18
2024-Q3	Owner reports	16
2024-Q4	Owner reports	17
2025-Q1	Owner reports	9
2025-Q2	Owner reports	21
2025-Q3	Owner reports	32
2025-Q4	Owner reports	23
2026-Q1	Owner reports	17
2026-Q2	Owner reports	21
2026-Q3	Owner reports	9
Oct 2020	Recall campaign	1	20V668000
Apr 2021	Recall campaign	1	21V246000

NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (2)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Transmission / driveline and Airbags.

Recall campaign 20V668000

Transmission / driveline

Report date

Oct 29, 2020

Component:

Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)

Consequence:

Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Remedy:

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

View authoritative NHTSA record →
Recall campaign 21V246000

Airbags

Report date

Apr 8, 2021

Component:

Airbags (AIR BAGS)

Consequence:

Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy:

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.

View authoritative NHTSA record →

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07

Showing 10 of 456 complaints · page 1 of 19

2026-08-30Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)

NHTSA ODI 11760744

CrashFireInjuryDeath

the vehicle will not register that it is in park, when the engine is turned off a beeping noise reads shift to park - you have to start the engine and shut it off multiple times, or slam the shifter into place to get it register in park. this happens constantly and is starting to get old, and annoying. it is listed as a known problem on the forum group. when the notice to shift into Park is stuck on, the beeping will not stop and the battery will drain all the way. Only solution is to replace the transmission shifter assembly.

2026-08-26Unclassified NHTSA leftover

NHTSA ODI 11759855

CrashFireInjuryDeath

Cracked flex pipe on exhaust system

2026-08-18Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)

NHTSA ODI 11757817

CrashFireInjuryDeath

On 08/15/26, I was at a traffic light waiting to make a left turn on a major roadway. Because the wait was on a hill, the park brake automatically engaged. When the traffic light turned green and as I attempted to accelerate, the electronic parking brake failed to release as it should and normally does. Since the vehicle would not move normally, I was unable to safely make my intended left turn so I had to continue straight in order to get out of the way of moving traffic. As I was driving to a parking lot of a business in the vicinity, my back tires were screeching and smoking as the park brake appeared to remain engaged. I was extremely concerned because I was in active traffic and could not operate the vehicle normally. I attempted to resolve the problem by turning the vehicle off, allowing it to sit for a few minutes and restarting it. After at least 20 tries, I could feel the pressure of the brakes release and I was finally able to move the vehicle normally. This was frightening and placed me and other motorists at risk. I was stopped at a major intersection on a hill when the vehicle failed to operate normally as traffic began moving. Had the parking brake remained engaged, I could have been stranded in moving traffic or potentially involved in a collision. I have experienced this parking-brake problem at least seven times, including this incident, since I have owned this vehicle since 2017. I have also experienced an abnormal condition involving the vehicle in which it would not allow me to shut off the engine when the park brake was engaged therefore wearing out the battery and I had to have it towed to the dealer. I am concerned that there may be an underlying electrical or electronic control-system defect. This greatly concerns me and it should be very alarming to the manufacturer. I have asked the dealer and called Chevrolet HQ to inquire about a recall or at least recoup some of the money I am constantly paying out of pocket.

2026-08-06Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)

NHTSA ODI 11755241

CrashFireInjuryDeath

Car wouldn’t move in Reverse, I’d give it gas and it would just rev. It would drive forward but very sluggish. Brought to 2 different mechanics and they both said I need to replace the transmission. Car has 97,500 miles on it. This is a known issue with these vehicles. The transmission ship had another traverse and a GMC Acadia in it for the same exact issue.

2026-07-28Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)

NHTSA ODI 11753379

CrashFireInjuryDeath

Transmission shuddering when gear changing as accelerate.

2026-07-10Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover

NHTSA ODI 11749614

CrashFireInjuryDeath

I work full time in an auto body repair shop and a fire chief. I am coming across more and more white GM vehicles where the paint is not stuck where the windshield is glued in. A couple real hard pushes and the windshield will about come completely out.

2026-07-08Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)

NHTSA ODI 11749157

CrashFireInjuryDeath

Front passenger tire was losing air, on the way to bring it to tire shop dashboard displayed tire pressure sensor, power steering system, TCM notification, Electronic brake control. Got it to the tire shop bought a new tire and they did a diagnostic test it showed TCM passed and failed, lost communication with power steering passed and failed, lost communication with inflatable restraint passed and failed. Once tire was replaced vehicle was jerking with TCM notification coming on and off like the vehicle was sliding.

2026-07-07Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)

NHTSA ODI 11748831

CrashFireInjuryDeath

2 failed transmissions 2018 vehicle 2024 replacement of transmission 2026 needs another transmission

2026-07-03Unclassified NHTSA leftover

NHTSA ODI 11748130

CrashFireInjuryDeath

the vehicle will not register that it is in park, when the engine is turned off a beeping notifcation reads "shift to park" - you have to start the engine and shut it off multiple times, or slam the shifter into place to get it register in park. this happens constantly and is starting to get old, and annoyoing.

2026-06-23Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)

NHTSA ODI 11746045

CrashFireInjuryDeath

Vehicle shudders when driving between 18mph and 40mph. Brought into dealership, was told that the Torque Converter is coming apart, and that it would require an entire Transmission replacement. This vehicle has been immaculately maintained, and only has 34745 miles on it. There is no reason that a main component of a powertrain should fail at such a low milage. I was told that the Warranty only convers the part for 5 years regardless of the low milage. Was quoted $8500 (at a discount) for the repair required to make the vehicle road worthy. Just to be clear, this is a one owner, garage kept vehicle that averaged less than 5000 miles a year, with a flawless service record. This is 100% a manufacturing issue.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse?

Owners named Transmission / driveline most often — 158 of 456 reports (35%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Transmission / driveline and Airbags. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21

Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources